ZapA, a virulence factor in a rat model of Proteus mirabilis-induced acute and chronic prostatitis.

Van Phan, Robert Belas, Brendan F. Gilmore, Howard Ceri

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Our knowledge of pathogenesis has benefited from a better understanding of the roles of specific virulence factors in disease. To determine the role of the virulence factor ZapA, a 54-kDa metalloproteinase of Proteus mirabilis, in prostatitis, rats were infected with either wild-type (WT) P. mirabilis or its isogenic ZapA- mutant KW360. The WT produced both acute and chronic prostatitis showing the typical histological progressions that are the hallmarks of these diseases. Infection with the ZapA- mutant, however, resulted in reduced levels of acute prostatitis, as determined from lower levels of tissue damage, bacterial colonization, and inflammation. Further, the ZapA- mutant failed to establish a chronic infection, in that bacteria were cleared from the prostate, inflammation was resolved, and tissue was seen to be healing. Clearance from the prostate was not the result of a reduced capacity of the ZapA- mutant to form biofilms in vitro. These finding clearly define ZapA as an important virulence factor in both acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4859-4864
Number of pages6
JournalInfection and Immunity
Volume76
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases

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